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Prayer, according to the Noble Quran, means a person turning to Allah with his entire self. A person occupies not even the most miniscule spot in the universe and his strength is limited and finite; yet when he serves Allah he acquires great spiritual strength. Through prayer, a person seeks help by accepting his helplessness before our almighty Lord.

Everyone who believes in Allah prays in one way or another. However, there are various aspects of prayer that are misunderstood.

Some people think that prayer is only for times of difficulty, when all other means have been tried. Some people may forget Allah when their troubles pass, until the next time. Others may think of prayer as certain phrases taught to children by older individuals, rather than being sincere and from the heart. And prayers are frequently learned by heart and recited without knowing what they mean.

As a result, when such people pray they do not think very much about such matters as the existence, oneness, might and power of Allah, how He hears and sees people at all times and how He will heed their prayers. Yet the prayer revealed by Allah through the Holy Quran is very different; the prayer described in the Glorious Quran is the easiest way of contacting Allah. Allah is closer to people than their own jugular veins, and He hears and knows all things.

Not a single thought that crosses a person’s mind is hidden from Allah. It is enough to express a sincere thought in order to request something from Him. It is easy to make contact with Allah.

It is very important to pray sincerely to Allah while one still has the time and opportunity, not after troubles are at the door. When prayer is neglected, troubles and difficulties find their way in, may Allah forbid. One must pray morning, noon and night, whenever one thinks of it. That places one in constant contact with Allah.

Verse 77 of Surat al-Furqan says, “My Lord would not care for you were it not for your prayer.” People can only acquire worth in the sight of Allah if they are conscious of being His servants. Therefore, they must turn to Allah, repent their sins to Him and seek help from Him alone.

All people need prayer. To imagine that someone who is living under conditions of poverty and difficulty is in greater need of prayer than a wealthy person is to misunderstand the nature of prayer. It is a grave error to assume that someone who thinks that he secures everything he wants in life, right at the very time, has no need of prayer because that would mean that the only reason for praying is to satisfy earthly desires.

Yet believers pray both in the life of this world and in the Hereafter. Prayer does not mean setting one’s needs out in order for Allah; prayer is an act of worship that pervades life as a whole. Allah will accept all prayers performed in absolute sincerity.

May Allah accept all your prayers, and may your days be filled with peace and tranquillity.